Reincarnated Sword Ghost-Chapter 35 : Hebei Peng Clan

Hebei Peng Clan
At last, Peng Mu-gyeol drew his sword.
At this point, there was nothing Jeong-un could do about it.
Fortunately, it was the middle of the night, and the empty lot behind the guesthouse was a place rarely visited by people.
It would be less commotion if things were resolved quickly.
Having made up his mind, Jeong-un spoke calmly.
"Use your full strength from the beginning. I can't give you much time."
"You arrogant bastard!"
The moment Peng Mu-gyeol took a step, Jeong-un's vision was filled with him.
It was a rapid display of lightness skill, enough to close the distance instantly.
Chakang—! Chaang! Chaeng!
It began with Jeong-un lightly blocking the sword aimed at his head, and in an instant, they exchanged three moves.
Unlike his duel with Cheon Hwi, there was no need to distinguish between feints and real attacks.
Every one of Peng Mu-gyeol's strikes was true— all infused with his full internal energy.
As Jeong-un parried the successive attacks, Peng Mu-gyeol struck down with all his strength and shouted,
"Impressive!"
It was at that moment, when a slight gap opened up between them.
'What is this...?'
As Peng Mu-gyeol stepped forward again within the gap, a strange aura surrounded Jeong-un.
In an instant, it turned into a heavy vital ki that pressed down on his entire body.
"...!"
A heavy sensation, as if his entire body were submerged in deep water.
It was caused by a single step from Peng Mu-gyeol—a clearly powerful rising martial force.
It was similar to the wave of energy Yeom Baek had emitted, yet distinctly different.
Whooong─!
As if he'd been waiting for it, Peng Mu-gyeol swung his sword upward from below.
It was a terrifying sword strike, powerful enough to cleave Jeong-un from waist to shoulder.
'It's no empty reputation.'
He was truly worthy of being the young family head of a renowned prestigious clan.
While thinking so, Jeong-un's true ki quickly flared up like wildfire. The meridians from his toes to his entire body vibrated.
The surges of vital ki unleashed from Jeong-un pushed back against Peng Mu-gyeol's aura, seemingly fending it off.
"...!"
Peng Mu-gyeol's eyes widened. But he didn't stop his swinging sword. He must have thought it was too late for Jeong-un to evade or block it.
'Normally, great sword strength means swift swordsmanship...'
Perhaps it was the memory of his duel with Cheon Hwi, who was known for his quick sword.
However, despite the intimidating force, Peng Mu-gyeol's moves didn't seem all that fast.
There was a slight gap between moments, a feeling of hesitation.
Uuuung!
The pure true ki condensed by One Illumination Movement Technique rushed powerfully along Jeong-un's blood vessels, embodying the martial principle of Moonlight Swift Steps.
His entire body's muscles absorbed the backlash of true ki with ease.
So the sword moved as naturally as water flowing, and it collided with Peng Mu-gyeol's whirling strike.
Kwaang!
A thunderous roar echoed, as if a thunderbolt had struck.
It was the sound of the two swords, both filled with true ki, clashing.
Jeong-un was pushed back several steps with his sword. It was his first time experiencing something like this.
'Tyrant's Path(霸道)...'
Those characters flashed naturally through his mind. It was an overwhelming sword strength.
His hand gripping the sword guard was throbbing.
Was this really the martial arts of the righteous sects? He doubted it for a moment.
Inwardly impressed, Jeong-un nodded and opened his mouth to speak.
He wasn't thick-skinned enough to say embarrassing things, but since he had placed first in the capital, he figured this much was acceptable.
"If you had applied to the Heavenly Martial Hall, you would have passed."
"What?"
Peng Mu-gyeol frowned. He looked as if to say, 'What sudden nonsense is this?' Jeong-un did not hold back his praise.
"I'm saying you can take pride in your martial accomplishment."
"What kind of nonsense now...?"
At that moment, the contents of the final test flashed through his mind.
Jeong-un stared at Peng Mu-gyeol for a moment and then added,
"... But you might struggle at the third gate."
"You bastard!"
Peng Mu-gyeol lunged at Jeong-un again.
Once more, as Jeong-un blocked a sword strike, a gap opened, and again Peng Mu-gyeol's foot moved forward.
Thunk!
It was similar to before, but even heavier—a step clearly meant for his next sword move.
So that's how he moves, Jeong-un observed his shifting center of gravity.
'Shall I try it?'
A movement of true ki had come to mind as he watched Peng Mu-gyeol's footwork a moment ago.
A rising martial force that overwhelms the opponent's aura through footwork.
Just witnessing it up close inspired him.
He gathered all the internal energy that had been circulating through his body at the Yongcheon acupoint.
Then, he took a step straight forward to face him.
Unlike Peng Mu-gyeol's solid footing, Jeong-un stepped as lightly as a breeze that brushes against thin robes.
With that one step, his force split Peng Mu-gyeol's aura.
Hwah!
Moonlight Swift Steps is footwork meant for survival, but also a supreme body technique for counterattacking.
In Jeong-un's mind, it was as if a trajectory was drawn that sliced through space, and his sword followed that path without hesitation.
Saaaak!
The moment his sword met Peng Mu-gyeol's fierce slash, the true ki that circulated his whole body channeled through his hands and was transferred entirely into the blade.
Kwaaaang!
Another thundering sound exploded. But this time, it was the other side that retreated.
"...!"
Peng Mu-gyeol lost even his sword, stumbling and rolling backward.
He tumbled so many times it looked like the infamous "Lazy Donkey Roll".
"Kgh, kuh!"
He coughed and quickly got to his feet.
Watching him, Jeong-un quietly spoke.
"I must correct myself."
"...?"
"If you're flexible enough to roll on the ground to lessen the shock, you might just pass the third gate, too."
"Shut up!"
Peng Mu-gyeol flared up, but seeing his empty hand, he clamped his mouth shut.
Then, looking at his sword lying on the ground, he asked,
"... How did you break through it?"
"What?"
"Primordial Steps."
'So that footwork is called Primordial Steps, huh?'
It was indeed an exquisite rising martial art, fitting for a prestigious clan.
By stepping for the attack, he released vital ki and overpowered the opponent to prevent any movement.
Strictly speaking, Jeong-un did not completely dispel all that ki—he simply found a gap to slash through.
Jeong-un shook his head.
"I didn't break through it."
"What?"
"Your accomplishment was just still immature."
And the same went for my Moonlight Swift Steps. But he swallowed that last bit.
'My body can't keep up with my senses.'
He'd always known he had sensitive perception—ever since he first gripped a sword after waking from his dream.
And Moonlight Swift Steps had sharpened that sense even further.
It was not just a movement technique, but also a martial art that expanded bodily sensations.
He could see where, and how, he needed to move—and seeing it meant reading the opponent's moves.
'But my body can't keep up with that.'
That was the most frustrating part. He was still sorely lacking.
"... I..."
"...?"
He heard Peng Mu-gyeol mutter from in front of him.
"My accomplishment... is still immature...?"
Peng Mu-gyeol's eyes were calmer now, in contrast to just moments ago. He seemed utterly drained, his shoulders slumped.
Perhaps because he'd rolled on the ground, his whole body was smeared with dirt, looking quite pitiful.
"... I see."
Then, looking at Jeong-un, he spoke.
"Ever since the Heavenly Martial Hall appeared, the path of young warriors has changed. Everyone focuses only on joining the Hall. Those who fail think themselves left behind."
"Do you think so too?"
"Hmph, I don't care for such a hollow reputation. I just can't stand seeing nobodies strutting around in black martial robes."
"..."
He recalled how discontented Peng Mu-gyeol had looked at first. He could now more or less understand why he was so prickly.
"But seeing you has changed my mind a little."
"...?"
"There's at least one worthy person in the Heavenly Martial Hall."
With that, he picked up his fallen sword and sheathed it. He apparently didn't intend to fight any longer.
Srrrng—
Jeong-un also sheathed his sword. This hadn't been a duel to decide a winner from the start.
After all, it was Peng Mu-gyeol who'd called him out and drawn his sword without warning.
He hadn't intended to cause an unnecessary commotion.
"Are you still not going to tell me your origin?"
Peng Mu-gyeol dusted off the dirt clinging to his clothes as he asked.
Even in the middle of the night, he seemed quite concerned with his appearance—a trait of someone raised preciously.
"How many times must I say this?"
"I've never seen a rising star like you in Northern Zhili. Where are you from?"
"..."
Now, he seemed determined to ignore whatever answer Jeong-un might give.
It was clear he didn't consider the Heavenly Martial Hall as an entirely independent group in the first place.
'So did Baek Sang, too.'
Baek Sang also didn't bother hiding his letters to his own Gate of Death.
There were even those who openly sent messages.
Maybe it was because they'd all planned to return to their own Gates after five years.
The rule to forget their original sect seemed meaningless.
"Whenever something like this happens, everyone pays attention to the Heavenly Martial Hall's actions. Everyone knows the information will be gathered there."
"I haven't heard much myself."
"But you must have ed some things."
"..."
He wasn't wrong.
Jeong-un had ed what he'd heard about the Black Dragon Gang as soon as he arrived.
So, that information must've spread instantly as well.
Seeing Jeong-un's face, Peng Mu-gyeol smirked.
"Don't worry, I'm not saying the Heavenly Martial Hall is rotten. Besides, hasn't the Zhuge clan served as your chief strategist?"
"Zhuge clan...?"
"Don't you even know what kind of person your organization's chief strategist is?"
"..."
"Unbelievable."
Jeong-un's face reddened slightly.
He had come to the Heavenly Martial Hall just to train with strong warriors and experience continuous real combat.
He'd paid little attention to such matters otherwise.
And it hadn't caused him any trouble until now, except for moments like these.
Peng Mu-gyeol continued.
"They say the Heavenly Martial Hall doesn't give warriors important information when sending them on missions. They just want you to move like puppets. It was Zhuge Cheon-woo who established that system."
"You seem quite interested in the Heavenly Martial Hall."
"We had a fair number from our branch go in. I just didn't ignore the stories that came back."
Now, Jeong-un felt he was beginning to understand the true nature of his organization.
To the Evil Faction and those on the Dark Path, the Hall acted as a harbinger of death, while on the other hand, it was also an arena where each sect tried to extend and restrain each other's influence.
"This business is the same. Everyone will be watching how you move. The Black Dragon Gang isn't only being tracked by you."
"You knew about the Black Dragon Gang?"
"Did you think only you knew rumors floating around the marketplace? The word has already spread everywhere."
That wasn't unexpected.
After all, it had been far too easy for both Jeong-un and Baek Il-gang to acquire that information.
But there was something else that puzzled him.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"What?"
"Isn't your clan's goal also the Immortal Spirit Pill left by the Divine Physician?"
"Hah."
Peng Mu-gyeol snorted in disbelief. He couldn't fathom why Jeong-un was so sincere.
When it came down to it, the Immortal Spirit Pill belonged to whoever seized it first.
If it was taken away later, that was another story—but for a clan like the Hebei Peng Clan, they surely had the power to keep it.
That meant Jeong-un was also a competitor.
Even if they were both part of the Righteous Faction, that was irrelevant.
"We'll end up with the pill anyway."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because that's what we've decided."
"..."
It was arrogant. But it was also the kind of thing said only by those who had never failed to attain what they desired.
Even as he spoke, Peng Mu-gyeol's chin remained high.
Wasn't he the young family head who reigned as victor on land ruled by the emperor?
In a way, it was to be expected.
As he observed Peng Mu-gyeol's face in silence, Jeong-un gently spoke.
"Didn't you just roll on the ground?"
"... You."